The transition from military to civilian employment can be intimidating. You may have made the decision to join the military for a myriad of reasons, including self-fulfillment, bringing discipline to your life, obtaining a career focus, or simply—but most importantly—service to our country. Now that you have gained additional discipline and have fulfilled your service obligation, how do you best find continuing career focus and self-fulfillment in the private sector?

Why the Transition is Tough

On active duty, the rules and regulations were clear. You were instructed on what to do, where to go, what to wear, and how to act to be successful. Career choices and advancement paths were clear, and regular feedback was mandated, with the result that you always understood how effectively you were progressing through the system. In the private sector, your progress is not always as clear, and the ability to choose a career path may be exacerbated by a lack of “rules of engagement.” There is no “Plan of the Day” or military service manual to guide you. Your competition may have worked their way up through a system that is as unclear to you as it would for someone applying for a mid-level military position after five or fifteen years in the private sector.

How to be Successful in the Private Sector

Success in the private sector often depends upon what you know, who you know, access to decision makers, and confidence in your ability to perform when given an opportunity. I suggest that the quickest way to learn the rules of engagement is through:

Completion of a quality, skill-based training program to obtain preferred industry credentials

Membership in professional organizations to gain access to experienced mentors

Quality career placement assistance services with a documented history of success

Civilian Career Requirements

Career options in the private sector may or may not require a general degree, but most, just like in the military, require initial concentrated training for entry into professions in demand. For example you may possess a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice, Finance, or Human Resources, but may need a peace officer, financial planner, or human resource certification to become confident in your skills and secure gainful employment. Whether you are entering a new profession or adapting military learned skills to private sector professions, a Professional College like Center for Advanced Legal Studies may provide a cost-effective and efficient solution with proven results.

How CALS Could Aid in Your Transition

If you have an interest in the law and are making the transition from military to civilian life, consider the paralegal profession. A paralegal career requires attention to detail, organizational skills, and integrity, and could be an ideal career option for a veteran. At Center for Advanced Legal Studies (CALS), we do an effective job of equipping graduates with job-ready knowledge, skills, and abilities, and therefore, may be the quickest and most efficient path towards finding focus and self-fulfillment in the private sector. CALS’ paralegal programs offer flexible schedules that allow for life balance, nurture non-traditional students or individuals changing careers, and are designed to effectively and efficiently assist graduates re-entering the workforce. Our career placement service have a proven excellent track record. When evaluating any Professional/Career College option make sure programs you are considering will allow you to meet or exceed industry standards, qualify you for membership in professional organizations, and offer direct career placement assistance. At CALS, we do all three!

Investigate your Professional College options today to eliminate feeling intimidated by the private sector. Consider a paralegal program like CALS to gain job-ready skills, secure partners who know the industry, and gain entry to a focused self-fulfilling career in the private sector. At CALS, we are experts in paralegal training, and we are 100% committed to the success of our students. Let us help you enter the civilian workforce with confidence and superior career placement assistance.

At Center for Advanced Legal Studies, we honor and thank all current and former military personnel for their service to our country. CALS is approved by the Texas Veterans Commission to assist eligible veterans or family members to use their Federal Veteran’s Benefits. We have been selected as a 2013 “Best for Vets Career/Technical College” by Military Times and have been named a 2014 top “Military Friendly School.” We are ready to help you further your education, transition to civilian life, and open doors to a rewarding paralegal career.

James Scheffer, Director of Admissions, served 21 years as Senior Chief Legalman in the U.S. Navy (Ret.) and as a Paralegal Specialist with the Department of Homeland Security before joining the team at CALS. He has over 27 years of experience, is an expert on the paralegal occupation, and is dedicated to helping his students succeed. Call 1.800.446.6931 or email info@paralegal.edu for more information on our paralegal programs or job placement. www.paralegal.edu